AJ13--iX7 FIBER PHOTOMETRY SYSTEM Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center

The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Integrated Service Network 7, specifically the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston, South Carolina, has issued a Special Notice (Solicitation 36C24726Q0474) regarding the procurement of a TDT iX7 Fiber Photometry System. This notice represents an intent to sole source the contract to Tucker Davis Technologies, located in Alachua, Florida. The procurement falls under NAICS code 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) and PSC code AJ13 (General Science & Technology R&D Services). The facility requires this specialized photometry system to support advanced neuroscience research initiatives. This Special Notice was posted on April 21, 2026, and provides the government's rationale for sole source procurement while inviting interested parties to challenge this approach.

The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center requires the iX7 Fiber Photometry System to establish a high-sensitivity platform for advanced neuroscience research, including neural activity monitoring, optogenetic manipulation, and behavioral analysis in freely behaving rodents, which is critical for maintaining research productivity and data consistency across NIH-funded collaborative projects currently utilizing TDT equipment. Interested contractors must submit a capabilities statement by April 28, 2026, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time, providing clear, compelling, and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the government. All submissions and inquiries must be directed in writing to Contracting Officer Aunjelaca Miller at aunjelaca.miller@va.gov with the subject line referencing "Photometry System." The procurement is not set aside for any particular business category, and vendors must meet the SBA small business size standard of 1,000 employees for this NAICS classification. The government retains sole discretion to proceed with either a competitive or sole source procurement based on the responses received to this notice.